MS-13 Sentencing Continues, 61 Alleged Members In Indictment

CHELSEA, MA – An area MS-13 gang member was sentenced in federal court Wednesday after pleading guilty to attacks on a rival gang three years ago. The sentencing of Kevin Ayala, 23, known as "Gallito," comes a week after a member of the same Chelsea outfit was sentenced for attempted murder.

Ayala admitted to assaulting two members of the rival 18th Street gang in Chelsea in 2014, the U.S. Attorney's office said. He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, known as a RICO conspiracy.

He was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison and will be subject to deportation upon his release.

Last week, 21-year-old Angel "Bravo" Pineda, a member of the same Enfermos Criminales sect, was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison for the attempted murder of an 18th Street gang member. Efrain "Caballo" Vasquez, 35, a member of Eastside Loco Salvatrucha, was sentenced to over seven years in prison for cocaine trafficking. Both gangs are Chelsea affiliates of MS-13, according to federal authorities.

All three men were among 61 people swept up in a January 2016 indictment targeting alleged leaders, members and associates of MS-13 in Massachusetts. MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence against rival gang members to be promoted and maintain membership in the group, according to the USAO. Specifically, they are required to attack and murder rivals whenever possible.

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